lisiamc

We had an Azamazing Evening in Mexico from a tendered port (Cabo San Lucas, I think) in 2019. It worked very well, and it was a masterpiece of organisation!

Earlier in the year, they did have capsules. By the time we got back on board for Christmas, it was powder. Maybe they will go back to capsules? Certainly tidier that way!

I think there was an app on one of the ships for a while, but it was never fleet-wide. As far as I know now, there is no app. (Maybe one day?)

Nicaragua, according to the photo.

I know! It’s not as nice as Bacardi or Mount Gay, IMHO.

Flor de Caña! That’s the name I couldn’t remember. Thanks for the photo @Bobal.

It’s been a while since I stopped drinking rum and Coke Zero, so things may have changed for the better on the rum, or with supply chain problems, maybe they can’t get whatever it was any more? edited to add: some time ago, it used to be Mount Gay Eclipse rum, which was nice, but I seem to remember it changing.

The included rum used to be something other than Bacardi, not a name I’m familiar with, and not as nice either, as I recall.

On every Azamara cruise we’ve taken post-Covid, the suites have been the first group boarded, pretty much at 2pm. Although they were subtle about it, I believe the top suites boarded just before the lesser suites. So the suite passengers on Azamara still get to book the speciality restaurants before the other passengers, although after boarding, as you say.

I know! When I read reviews, I read most of the bad ones and evaluate. If they all complain about the same thing, then I believe there’s some merit in the complaints. If each bad review is a one-off, then I take them with a grain of salt. In this case, at least anecdotally, it sounds like a problem with one particular person on one particular ship, rather than a company-wide policy of supplying terrible customer service. (Certainly we have nearly always had excellent customer service.) Maybe a case of the person being a bad fit for the job?

Ooh yes, how could I forget those? For a small ship, I think Azamara offer a lot of things for entertainment on sea days.

For me, it depends on the ship. On Onward, even on an abbreviated first day, I will want to hang out in the Atlas bar. Two drinks, and I’m even with the cost of the Ultimate package.

We are 43 days from sailing, but no online check in yet. I’m not very patient! 😁

My understanding is that if a cocktail is not available within a package, then the full price of the cocktail is charged to the passenger’s account. There is no partial charge. So for example, an Aperol Spritz would not be included on the complimentary drinks list, and would be charged at whatever the full price would be for that cocktail.

Well, the fact that Oceania ships have casinos could be a plus point if you like a little gambling. As a minus point, it also takes away some space that is sometimes used for other activities on Azamara. Azamara does put on extra activities on crossings or other cruises with many sea days. I have seen these offerings: -progressive trivia, where points accumulate until the last day, -matinee performances from entertainers, -a passenger choir, -bingo, -lectures, -wine tasting, -a mixology class, -a crew talent show, -crew “Olympics” (much more fun than it sounds), -the very interesting Azamara “expo” where each department has an exhibit showing what they do and how they do it, -classes in such things as watercolour painting, jewellery making and even -gingerbread house making on the autumn transatlantic.

Well, you know if you ask this question on the Azamara forum, you’re going to get a slightly biased answer! We love Azamara, and part of that is the slightly more spontaneous nature of Azamara compared to Oceania. Both lines are very good, and some of the ships (the R ships) are nearly identical, but there is a slight difference in the character of the two lines. For me, the friendliness and slightly lesser degree of formality gives Azamara the edge but this is very subjective.

I have found it’s really variable post-Covid and post-new ownership. Anything from10-60 days. There is a line on the screen saying that they will email me when it’s open, but they never have. I just keep checking back until online check-in is open.

When I book an excursion online, it comes up with the time(s) it is available. If there is only one time, then there is only one shown. If there are more, then there is a box to select the time.

It’s a fairly large port. You are allowed to walk in and out of the port; you’re not required to take a shuttle. You could walk, but if your ships are a long way apart, the shuttle might be easier.

588 steps, almost all covered with donkey poo! We are some of the misguided souls who have walked up them. A very hot, smelly and tiring trek.

Our most recent Pursuit cruise was July 2022, and everything was up to Azamara standards, except for the variability of wines in the Ultimate package (caused largely by supply chain glitches, IMO.) We did not experience any cold food on that cruise, or indeed on our four Onward cruises in 2022. I know that others have had instances of cold food on both of these ships, but it doesn’t seem to happen on every meal, and fortunately has never happened to us. I agree with @lauriebthat to us it’s not sufficient reason to cancel a cruise.

Yes, the Club Continent suites are VERY nice, and I do like the showers. And yes, the Azamara regular bathrooms are smaller, although still fit for purpose. But in general, the balcony cabins are very comparable to Millennium-class Celebrity ships: Azamara balcony cabins are 175 sq ft, plus the balcony at 40 sq ft. https://www.azamara.co.uk/our-ships/staterooms/club-balcony-stateroom. Celebrity Millennium class cabins are 150-175 sq ft, with a balcony of 38 sq Ft, according to the Celebrity website, https://www.celebritycruises.com/gb/cruise-ships/celebrity-millennium/accommodations.

I am such a country mouse it isn’t funny. And I feel safe in Pisa at night. Might someone pick your pocket? Sure. That can happen day or night, so keep your wits about you. But it’s very unlikely that anyone will assault you or rob you at knifepoint. Pisa is a very buzzy, energetic, University town, and I enjoy the vibe there.

Oooh, I think I need one of those!

You’re only limited by how much you want to carry, as far as I know.